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Asexuality has been coined as “the invisible orientation” within the broader spectrum of queerness. The moniker has a grain of truth; whereas many other queer identities can point to extensive, well-documented histories and now decades of socio-political activism and public visibility, the concept of asexuality has emerged as its own queer identity relatively recently.
However, this does not mean that asexuality is a new, or even modern, identity, let alone an “invented” or “internet” identity as some have claimed.[1] Broadly, “asexual” can describe to any person who does not experience sexual attraction. Per the Asexual Visibility and Education Network, “[asexuals] are not drawn to people sexually and do not desire to act upon attraction to others in a sexual way”.[2] There is a vast array of identities and microlabels under the asexual umbrella, including: demisexual, gray-ace, ace-flux, fraysexual, aegosexual and more. Gauging the prevalence of asexuality is challenging for a number of reasons, but most studies suggest around 1% of people identify on the asexual spectrum.[3]
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London Pride, 2019
The Emergence of Asexuality
The mid-19th century saw the first analytical descriptions of asexuality as we understand it today. In 1869, Hungarian doctor Karl-Maria Kertbeny wrote ground-breaking, but anonymous, pamphlets arguing against the persecution of homosexuality. In his argument, he identified distinct, but equally valid, sexual orientations: heterosexual, homosexual, and “monosexual”. It is highly likely that the latter orientation referred to asexuality, which Kertbeny described as “sexual satisfaction only with [oneself]”.[4] Later in the 1890s, German physician Magnus Hirschfeld opined in his seminal work on queer sexuality Sappho and Socrates that “[t]here are individuals who are without any sexual desire”.[5] Hirschfeld may also have described some asexual microlabels, such as autosexuality, in some of his later 20th century works. It is notable that intellectual dialogue around homosexuality and other queer identities seems to have occurred in tandem with that of asexuality, which bolsters the view that asexuality was always part of the queer spectrum.
Magnus Hirschfeld, German physician and sexologist, in 1932
But asexual history obviously begins earlier than the 19th century; if asexuals make up at least 1% of humanity, logic (and basic mathematics) suggests that millions of our forbears were asexual. As I have noted in previous blog posts (such as my recent post on English poet Katherine Philips) it is often difficult to discern romantic, sexual and other motivations among possibly queer historical individuals. This difficulty is compounded when searching for historical asexuals, where perceived “lack” of sexual motivation or interest is a key indicator of possible identity. The challenge then, for historians, activists and others, is to find and elucidate “the invisible orientation” in the ever-growing pantheon of queer history.
Asexuals Throughout History
Which individuals, then, might we look to as possible examples of asexuality before the modern era, and what might their lives tell us about asexuality, and queerness, in history? Discerning asexuality before this terminology was even developed presents significant barriers and requires caution. Even so, there are several historical figures whose memoirs, writings and the historical record suggest may have been on the asexual spectrum. Although we cannot necessarily be certain of these persons’ orientations without explicit confirmation, their lives merit a closer examination and might tell us much about the still-untold history of asexuality.
The Apostle Paul (4 BCE – 64 CE)
The Apostle Paul is among the most central, and influential, figures in the early Christian church and is believed to have authored several New Testament books of the Bible. The writings of Paul in the New Testament have drawn generations of analysis and critique. The queer community in particular has often found itself targeted because of biblical translations and interpretations of the so-called “clobber verses” found in Paul’s letters to the early Christian churches. Historians, scholars and especially queer Christians have begun to reassess Paul’s writings – not just focusing on his views on human sexuality, but also his sexuality itself – or perhaps asexuality.
Scholars note, for example, that Paul’s lifelong singleness was highly unusual for a man of his elevated social status in the Jewish community prior to his conversion to Christianity. Likewise, Paul’s writings on marriage and singleness (most notably in 1st Corinthians 7) appear to elevate singleness above the condition of marriage. In verses 6-7, Paul describes sexual love in marriage as permissible, but adds “I would that all men were even as I myself [single]. But every man hath his proper gift of God, one after this manner, and another after that.”[6] These verses suggest that Paul understood that not everyone was capable of living singly as he did. It is thus possible that he understood (or suspected) that he had an innate orientation favoring a celibate life. To what extent his possible asexuality impacted his theological views of human sexuality is a subject of considerable debate.
Queen Zenobia of Palmyra (240 CE – c. 274 CE)
Queen Zenobia is today remembered as one of great warrior queens of antiquity. Over the brief span of her lifetime, she built her own empire in modern-day Syria and Egypt in a direct challenge to Roman control of the Mediterranean world. Zenobia’s rapid rise to power began with her marriage to Rome’s then Eastern Governor, Odaenathus, by whom she bore a son, Wahballat.[7] When her husband and his older son were both assassinated, Zenobia became the power behind the throne for her young son, who took on his father’s titles while his mother exercised their authority. Around this time, Zenobia adopted the regal title of “Queen” for herself, and commenced a steady campaign to seize control of the Roman Empire’s eastern and southern border regions in what is today the Middle East.[8] Zenobia cleverly took advantage of an especially dangerous, unstable period in Roman history ominously called the “Crisis of the Third Century”. Although she quickly declared her own independence from Rome, Roman counterattacks led by Emperor Aurelian led to her defeat in 272 CE.[9] Despite her capture and possible execution (or perhaps suicide, depending on the source), Queen Zenobia is remembered today as a proud, intelligent and fearless monarch, akin to Boudica of Britain.
But despite the many fascinating facets of her storied life, her possible asexual orientation has garnered recent interest. Sources note that Zenobia was notoriously chaste and sex-averse.[10] Although she was married to a Roman governor, she reportedly committed to the notion that sex was only worthwhile for producing heirs; consequently, she only engaged in sex with her husband in order to conceive. According to the Roman historian Trebellius Pollio, “[f]or when she had lain with [her husband], she would refrain until the time of the month to see if she was pregnant; if not she would again grant an opportunity of begetting children.”[11] In her ruling years, there are no records of Zenobia pursuing other marriage alliances (a common political strategy of the era) or taking lovers of her own (often expected of high-ranking nobility and especially rulers in antiquity). Though these are far from conclusive facts, they support the possibility that Zenobia was herself asexual.
Catherine Bernard (1662 – 1712)
Catherine Bernard was a rare example of an independently successful, wealthy and influential female writer – who was also notoriously single – in the 17th century. She enjoyed an illustrious literary career likely beginning in her teenage years, and wrote in several genres including plays, novels, fairy tales and short stories.[12] Unfortunately, Bernard’s work has often been mistaken for that of her male contemporaries, and some of her works have only been recently rediscovered as hers all along. Love and romance were undeniably central themes in many of Bernard’s most famous works, such as “The Misfortunes of Love”. However, some literary experts have speculated that Bernard’s seemingly less than salubrious outlook on romantic love (as indicated in her writings) and elevation of platonic relationships could indicate an asexual perspective.[13] One such commentator notes, “[t]hough discussing what she sees instead of what she experiences, Bernard places herself outside of her chosen subject matter, love. She looks at it from a distance…This touches on the asexual experience – she is an outsider looking in on relationships and finds it easiest to see the negative messiness of a relationship than the positives.”[14] It is widely thought that Bernard lived a wholly single, celibate existence, and there are no records indicating romantic or sexual partners throughout her relatively long life.
Isaac Newton (1643 – 1727)
Isaac Newton was among the most brilliant minds in history, and a colossus of scientific and technological discovery at the very height of the 17th century Scientific Revolution. Newton achieved major discoveries in several fields (physics, astronomy, mathematics, mechanical engineering and more). His foundational work Principia (1686), which elucidated his Three Laws of Motion, made Newton an international star although it was among the first of many seminal projects that Newton would complete in his lifetime.[15] While the notorious story of the falling apple is likely apocryphal, Newton’s work on gravity and universal gravitation revolutionized the emerging field of physics.
Not surprisingly, Newton’s biographers concur on his absolute, unshakeable personal devotion to his experiments and a life dedicated to scientific inquiry. That devotion may have precluded other relationships. Newton reportedly claimed on his deathbed that he died a virgin; the French philosopher Voltaire later wrote of Newton that he “had neither passion nor weakness; he never went near any woman”.[16] His biographers also note that, while he enjoyed friendships with men, there are no indications that he ever pursued romantic or homosexual relationships with them. These reports, combined with a dearth of any evidence that Newton ever pursued non-platonic affairs of any kind, have led historians to conclude that he was likely on the asexual spectrum.
Emily Bronte (1818 – 1848)
The famous 19th century poet and novelist only lived to be 30 years old, but wrote one of the most enduring romantic novels in history in her masterpiece Wuthering Heights. But despite her thoughtful and compelling portrayals of romantic devotion throughout her brief literary career, Bronte’s biographers suggest that she herself preferred a solitary existence and showed little interest in marriage, or an otherwise conventional romantic relationship.[17] Sources note that Bronte was fascinated by the natural world, and vastly preferred the wild outdoors or animal companionship to that of humans. Another source adds that “Emily’s life was that of a representative solitary… She is preeminently a poet of self-conscious expression, of an interior life focused on observation, imagination and introspection”.[18] It is notable that Bronte, who clearly had strong interests in understanding and portraying romance, could have been asexual but still experienced romantic desire (in asexual parlance, this is commonly referred to as the “split attraction model” or SAM).
Nikola Tesla (1856 – 1943)
Like Isaac Newton, Nikola Tesla’s life was dominated by the endless pursuit of knowledge and technological advancement; also like Newton, Tesla’s absolute commitment to his efforts may have been abetted by his suspected asexual orientation. Tesla immigrated to the United States in 1884 and garnered public notoriety quickly thanks to his sharp intelligence, astonishing scientific discoveries and dashing appearance.[19] Tesla’s inventions were crucial to the economic and industrial development of the US at the beginning of the 20th century, and arguably played a central role in setting the US on the pathway towards becoming a global superpower. His work on alternating currents, according to the Tesla Society, enabled a “perfect partnership between Tesla and Westinghouse for the nationwide use of electricity in America”.[20] Tesla’s other seminal inventions included the Tesla coil, x-rays, wireless communications, early robotics, fluorescent light, and a basic radio system among the 700 patents he registered throughout his life.[21]
Undoubtedly, Tesla was a busy man – but that fact alone does not necessarily explain his apparent lifelong aversion to sexual and romantic intimacy. Tesla remained celibate throughout his life, despite his eminently eligible bachelor status; it is widely speculated today that he was both asexual and aromantic (though, as noted above, the two orientations are distinct). One of Tesla’s famous quotes confirms that his work was the only passion he cared for, or needed: “I do not think there is any thrill that can go through the human heart like that felt by the inventor as he sees some creation of the brain unfolding to success..Such emotions make a man forget food, sleep, friends, love, everything.”[22] Tesla probably would have empathized with the perspectives of some “aroaces” today who view romantic and sexual entanglements as both unnecessary and unfulfilling. Had Tesla had access to the full breadth of language available to us today, he would likely have viewed asexuality not as a burden, but as one of the many innate gifts that enabled him to be his extraordinary self.
Never Invisible
Even this brief survey of a handful of suspected asexual individuals reveals the considerable diversity within the asexual community, past and present. Asexuals may be difficult to discern and are oft forgotten in the broader queer historical discourse, but they have never been “invisible”. Despite the strides made in recent years to spread awareness around the asexual community today, there remains tremendous work yet to be done to elucidate how asexuality has shaped our history. For every account shared here, there are thousands more yet to be discovered. Above all, it is the hope of this asexual Historical Fiction author that her fellow “aces” reading this blog can see parts of themselves throughout these stories. We have so very much to be proud of and, together, our community is shaping asexual history every day.
[1] Michael Waters, “Finding Asexuality in the Archives,” Slate Magazine, March 6, 2020, https://slate.com/human-interest/2020/03/asexuality-history-internet-identity-queer-archive.html.
[2] Asexual Visibility and Education Network, “Overview,” https://www.asexuality.org/?q=overview.html.
[3] Anna Medaris Miller, “Asexuality: the Invisible Orientation?”, May 4, 2015, U.S. News and World Report, https://health.usnews.com/health-news/health-wellness/articles/2015/05/04/asexuality-the-invisible-orientation.
[4] “The History of Asexuality,” Asexuals.net, https://www.asexuals.net/the-history-of-asexuality/.
[5] Magnus Hirshfeld, Sappho und Sokrates, pg. 6 (translated and shared via https://www.asexuality.org/en/topic/98639-indirect-mentions-of-asexuality-in-magnus-hirschfelds-books/).
[6] 1 Corinthians 7:6-7, Authorized King James Version, https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Corinthians%207&version=AKJV.
[7] “Zenobia”, The Encyclopedia Brittanica, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Zenobia.
[8] Ibid.
[9] Joshua Mark, “Zenobia”, World History Encyclopedia, September 14, 2014, https://www.worldhistory.org/zenobia/.
[10] Ibid.
[12] Laura York, “Bernard, Catherine 1662 – 1712”, Women in World History: A Biographical Encyclopedia, https://www.encyclopedia.com/women/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/bernard-catherine-1662-1712/.
[13] Jo Troll, “Catherine Bernard: A Study in Asexual History,” Making Queer History, November 27, 2017, https://www.makingqueerhistory.com/articles/2017/11/27/catherine-bernard-a-question-in-studying-asexual-history.
[14] Ibid.
[15] Richard S. Westfall, “Isaac Newton”, Encyclopedia Britannica, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Isaac-Newton.
[16] Denis Lesak, “Why Isaac Newton died a virgin,” March 8, 2016, Medium, https://medium.com/@denislesak/why-isaac-newton-died-a-virgin-192decd2a750.
[17] D.G. Hewitt, “10 Famous Asexual Figures from History”, History Collection, April 11, 2018, https://historycollection.com/10-famous-asexual-figures-from-history/.
[18] “Emily Brontë, Poet of Solitude,” Hermitary and Hermitary Press, https://www.hermitary.com/solitude/bronte.html.
[19] D.G. Hewitt, ibid.
[20] Dr. Ljubo Vujovic, “Tesla Biography”, Tesla Memorial Society of New York, July 10, 1998, https://www.teslasociety.com/biography.htm.
[21] Ibid.
[22] https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/114389-i-do-not-think-there-is-any-thrill-that-can